startbuddi vs Squarespace: an honest comparison

Squarespace is a template-based builder for full multi-page websites, with a blog, online store, member areas, email campaigns and scheduling; startbuddi does not build multi-page websites. Pick Squarespace for a polished full website, and startbuddi if a few focused pages are enough and you want them tied to your contacts, invoices, bookings and WhatsApp.

We make startbuddi, so we're biased. We've tried to be fair: we list where Squarespace is stronger, every fact about Squarespace links to its source, and anything we couldn't confirm on their own site is marked "not published". Checked in September 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.

startbuddi

startbuddi is best for

Businesses that need a few focused pages tied to their contacts, invoices and WhatsApp

Squarespace

Squarespace is best for

Small businesses that want a polished multi-page website with selling built in

At a glance

Best for

startbuddiBusinesses that need a few focused pages tied to their contacts, invoices and WhatsApp

SquarespaceSmall businesses that want a polished multi-page website with selling built in

Free plan

startbuddiYes, the Free plan

SquarespaceNone on the published plans

First paid plan

startbuddiStarter, $29 a month

SquarespaceBasic, $12 USD per month, billed annually ($19 billed monthly)

Checked

startbuddiPrice book, October 2026

SquarespaceSeptember 2026

Where each one is stronger

The short version. Squarespace first, because it does some things better than we do.

Squarespace is stronger at

Full multi-page websitesSquarespace builds whole sites that start with one page and grow into many, which startbuddi does not do.

Deeper online storeCore and up add discount codes, abandoned cart recovery, subscriptions and carrier-calculated shipping.

Memberships and paid contentmember areas and paywalls for recurring revenue, which startbuddi does not offer.

Blog and video hostinga built-in blog, and video hosting from 30 minutes on Basic to unlimited on Advanced.

startbuddi is stronger at

Pages wired to the businessevery page lead creates or updates a contact, and the same workspace holds deals, a shared inbox and invoices.

Paystack built intake card, bank transfer, USSD and mobile money payments through your own Paystack account, or use Stripe.

WhatsApp in the same placea shared inbox for WhatsApp, email, SMS, website chat, Instagram and Facebook sits next to your pages.

A free planstartbuddi has a Free plan, while Squarespace starts with a 14-day trial.

Business pages for how you workready-made menus, price lists, digital business cards and property listings with WhatsApp and booking buttons.

Feature by feature

Each Squarespace value links to where we found it. Anything their site doesn't state is marked "not published".

Show differences only

startbuddi and Squarespace, feature by feature
Feature	startbuddi	Squarespace
Multi-page websiteSingle pages: landing, business, link in bio, store, webinar	No	YesSource (opens in a new tab)
Free plan	Yes	14-day free trialSource (opens in a new tab)
AI builds the site or pageChip builds a page from a sentence; uses Chip credits	Yes	Yes (Blueprint AI)Source (opens in a new tab)
Online storeCheckout charges the base price; no delivery zones	Partial: base price only	All plans (2% fee on Basic)Source (opens in a new tab)
Discount codes	No	Core plan and upSource (opens in a new tab)
Memberships and paywalls	No	YesSource (opens in a new tab)
BookingsBookings land on the customer record	Yes	Yes (Acuity Scheduling)Source (opens in a new tab)
Email campaignsThe Marketing hub is not on the Free plan	Paid plans only	YesSource (opens in a new tab)
Built-in contact listContacts, deals and a shared inbox	Yes	YesSource (opens in a new tab)
Custom domainDomains can't be bought in the app	Bring your own	Free for 1 year on annual plansSource (opens in a new tab)

What each one looks like

Real screens, captured by us or taken from the official press kit, each dated.

startbuddi: Landing pages — **startbuddi** · Landing pages. Captured from our own account, personal details blurred.

startbuddi: Page templates — **startbuddi** · Page templates. Captured from our own account, personal details blurred.

startbuddi: Custom domains — **startbuddi** · Custom domains. Captured from our own account, personal details blurred.

Squarespace's own screens are on Squarespace's website. We don't show another company's product without a dated capture from a trial or its press kit.

Pricing side by side

List prices as each company publishes them. We never convert currencies.

See startbuddi pricing

startbuddi

FreeFree
Starter$29 a month
Growth$79 a month
Scale$199 a month

Prices in US dollars, billed monthly. From our pricing page, updated 7 Oct 2026.

Squarespace

Basic$12 USD per month, billed annually ($19 billed monthly)Source (opens in a new tab)
Core$17 USD per month, billed annually ($27 billed monthly)Source (opens in a new tab)
Advanced$25 USD per month, billed annually ($36 billed monthly)Source (opens in a new tab)

Checked in September 2026. Check Squarespace's site for current plans.

Switching from Squarespace

What moving across involves.

Export your contacts from SquarespaceIn the Contacts panel, open the … menu and choose Export all contacts to get a .csv file. Notes and saved addresses are not included.
Import them into startbuddiIn Customers → Contacts, press Import and follow the three steps: choose the file, match the columns, review.
Rebuild the pages you actually needThere is no Squarespace site importer, and startbuddi does not build multi-page sites. Recreate your key pages as landing pages, business pages or a link in bio, and add products to the Store by hand.
Move your domain when you're readyIn Publish → Domains, add the domain and copy the CNAME record into your registrar. Once it shows Live · SSL active, pick the page it should open; your Squarespace site will no longer show on that address.

Sources

Checked in September 2026. startbuddi prices come from our own price book. Squarespace's website.

Questions people ask

Can startbuddi replace my Squarespace website?

Only if a few single pages are enough, as there is no multi-page website builder or memberships; it makes landing pages, business pages, link in bio, a store and webinar pages.

Does startbuddi have a free plan?

Yes, startbuddi has a Free plan, and every paid plan has a 30-day trial. Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial rather than a free plan.

Can I move my contacts from Squarespace?

Yes. Export your contacts from the Squarespace Contacts panel as a .csv file and import it in Customers → Contacts.

Can I use both?

Yes. Many businesses keep their Squarespace website and use startbuddi for contacts, the WhatsApp inbox, invoices and pages such as a link in bio or booking page.